Excitement builds ahead of Hiscox cricket festival

Politicians, athletes, radio personalities and more will compete on Saturday in the Hiscox Under 11 Cricket Festival. 

The annual event is fun for the whole family with free entrance, a free barbecue lunch for the first 350 people, face painting, fun castle and more. 

It will be held at North Field with the Under-8 league game at 9:30, lunch at 12 and the celebrity game at 1pm. 

This year’s celebrity team includes Premier Craig Cannonier, Deputy Premier Michael Dunkley, Governor George Fergusson, Power Girl, Nadanja Bailey, Tyler Butterfield, Jay Donowa, Bermuda Sun reporter Mikaela Ian Pearman, Hiscox CEO Jeremy Pinchin and many more.

The Under-11 team is Dominic Sabir, Malachi Trott, Sancho Jackson, Leilanni Nesbeth, De-Nyi Thomas, AlexWithers-Clarke, Ryan Mullen, Nayir Pinkney, Tybrae Robinson, Kevin Davis, Ezzylia Bean, Shane Robinson, Malik Smith and Jamar Stovell.

Speaking on the event, Mr Pinchin said: “We are extremely proud to continue our support of youth cricket and delighted to be hosting the fifth Hiscox U11 Celebrity Cricket Festival. 

“With the U11s leading the annual contest by 3-1, the celebrities are thirsting for revenge and have recruited some top celebrities and cricketers in the reinsurance industry to up the ante.

“We hope the community will come out and celebrate a great occasion for youth cricket and enjoy the family festivities.”

Lloyd Fray, President of the BCB said: “The excitement for this year’s celebrity festival is really building up especially with all the big raffle prizes on offer this year - top prize is a $500 travel voucher and a two-night stay at Grotto Bay Hotel. 

“We have some great celebrities taking part, including Bermuda Sun's own Mikaela Pearman, and lots of onsite to entertain the children watching. 

“All the proceeds raised during the festival go towards our National Youth Academy.”

He continued: “The Academy is an important part of our youth development program which aims to provide talented young cricket players with a comprehensive program to enable them to develop into outstanding cricketers whilst at the same time providing players with the tools they need to develop into well-rounded members of the community. 

“The structure of the BCBNA program highlights the preparation needed to fulfill athlete expectation and progression to achieve the highest level of international competition. 

“I look forward to [Sun reporter] Mikaela's debut as the adults truffle to reverse their losing trend.”